Combination shoulder harness and seat belt buckle system

ABSTRACT

A combination seat belt buckle in which one of a series of loops towards the end of a retractable shoulder harness strap engages a hook formed on the buckle release fitting. When the release fitting is engaged in the buckle, the hook is closed off, retaining the harness strap. Upon release, the harness strap is automatically retracted behind the roof fabric of the vehicle into a constant tension retractor which extends the end of the strap into the vehicle in the fully retracted condition.

United States Patent Inventor George Jantzen New York, N.Y.

Appl. No. 763,461

Filed Aug. 1, 1968 Division oi'Ser. No. 652,343, July 10, 1967, Pat. No.3,418,007.

Patented June 15, 1971 Assignee M. Steinthal & Company Incorporated NewYork, N.Y.

COMBINATION SHOULDER HARNESS AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEM 3 Claims, 12Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 280/150, 297/388 Int. Cl B60r 21/10 Field of Search 280/ l 50[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,107,121 10/1963 Mongey297/388 3,371,960 3/1968 Bayer et al.. 280/150 3,400,977 9/1968 Jones297/389 Primary Examiner- Kenneth H. Betts Assistant Examiner-Robert R.Song Atmrney- Milton Robert Kestenbaum ABSTRACT: A combination seat beltbuckle in which one of a series of loops towards the end of aretractable shoulder harness strap engages a hook formed on the bucklerelease fitting. When the release fitting is engaged in the buckle, thehook is closed off, retaining the harness strap. Upon release, theharness strap is automatically retracted behind the roof fabric of thevehicle into a constant tension retractor which extends the end of thestrap into the vehicle in the fully retracted conditron.

PATENTED'JUMSIQII 3584896 SHiEI 2 OF 3 INVICNI'OR. Gear 6 JanlzeCOMBINATION SHOULDER HARNESS AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SYSTEM This is adivision of application Ser. No. 652,343, filed July 10, I967. Thisinvention relates to safety belt buckles and more particularly to anarrangement for locking a shoulder harness strap and seat belt strapsusing buckle, common to both.

A great deal of emphasis has been placed on auto safety and to the useof seat belts. Lap type seat belts which fit across the wearer's pelvicregion, have been encouraged and even required. Still, a great dealneeds to be done in the field of auto safety. Emphasis is now beingplaced on the use of an over-the-shoulder harness strap in conjunctionwith a lap belt. While the lap belt keeps the wearer on the seat insudden stops, the shoulder harness prevents his upper torso from fallingforward into the steering column, windshield or instrument panel.

A paradox results from introducing the additional safety feature of ashoulder harness. It places more straps and buckles in the wearers pathto safety. As a result, it can discourage the wearer from using any.Thus, it is of great advantage to provide a safety belt system whichcombines a lap belt and a shoulder harness with simplicity ofoperation-and especially of adjustmentcomparable to a lap belt alone.Another important advantage is to provide a system having a retractableshoulder harness as well as a retractable lap belt to overcome thespector of a jungle of straps hanging and lying about with theautomobile.

Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide acombination buckle for athree point belt system, that is, a singlebuckle which locks separate shoulder harness and lap straps to a commonstrap.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination bucklewhich is extremely east to operate, in which a quick release mechanismis common to both the shoulder harness strap and the seat belt straps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination buckle fora shoulder harness which enables automatic adjustment of the shoulderharness strap to fit any wearer.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a lap belt andshoulder harness system, in which the shoulder harness and the lap areretractable and a combination buckle engages both the lap belt and theshoulder harness.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination buckle inwhich the harness strap is capable of automatic and safe retraction.

These objects are achieved in the present invention which employs abuckle and mating release fitting for locking a pair of lap strapstogether. The release fitting has a slotted portion to which a harnessstrap can be attached at the free end thereof at any one of a series ofadjustment loops. The slotted portion of the release fitting is closedoff by the insertion of the release fitting within the buckle, whichretains the harness strap locked to the buckle. Operation of a quickrelease mechanism unlocks both the lap belt and the shoulder harness.

Upon release, the shoulder harness strap is free and is automaticallyretracted by a retracting mechanism within the roof of the vehicle.

The objectsand features just described as well as other objects andfeatures of this invention will be amply clear from the followingdescription taken together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an automobile interior showing thecombination buckle engaging the seat belt and the shoulder harness.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the combination buckle in a disengagedcondition.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the combination buckle in an engagedcondition with part of the harness strap broken away.

FIG. 4 is a partially sectional end view of'the engaging portion of theshoulder harness.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the buckle portion of the combinationbuckle.

FIG. 6, 7 and 8 are side sectional views of the combination buckle withthe release fitting in various stages of engagement.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the retractor for the shoulder harness.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of the anchor fitting for securing theshoulder harness.

FIG. 11 and 12 are schematic view of the shoulder harness in theextended and retracted positions.

Referring to FIG. 1, a combination lap belt and shoulder harness bucklel is on the front seat 30 of an automobile inan engaged condition. Theshoulder harness strap 31 extends from out of a slot 33 in the roofportion of the automobile, somewhat behind the front seat 30. The slot33 is angled to the contour of the roof. A retractor mechanism ispositioned behind the interior fabric 41 of the automobile and issecured to the structural members which support the roof. When the strap31 is released from engagement with the buckle 1, it is automaticallyretracted behind the fabric 41 through the slot 33 by the retractormechanism. In the fully retracted position the retractor mechanism andthe strap 31 are arranged so that a portion of the free end 42 of thestrap 31 extends out of the slot 33. The user grasps this free end 42and pulls it over his shoulder for engaging it with the buckle l at anyone of a series of loops 32, as will be hereinafter described.

In FIG. 2, the buckle 1, the release fitting 8 and the harness strap 31are shown in a disengaged condition. The buckle 1 and the releasefitting 8 each are attached to one of a pair of straps which form thelap belt. The lap straps are anchored to the floor of the vehicle behindthe seat and advantageously are retractable. The buckle l is of thepushbutton type and is operated by pressing upon pushbutton 17. Therelease fitting 8 is inserted into the buckle 1 and locked at itsapertures 27, 28 in a manner to be described. Slots 35, 38 angularlydisposed to the longitudinal axis of the release fitting 8 extend intothe release fitting 8 so as to from a pair of oppositely disposed flathook portions 36, 37 on the release fitting which open towards thebuckle 1. These hook portions 36, 37 have tips which extend generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the release fitting 8 so as tonarrow the slots 35, 38 to an extent.

The harness strap 31 tapers down at its free end 42 to a width whichwill fit within the wide portion of the slots 35, 38. As shown in FIG. 2in conjunction with FIG. 4, free end 42 is comprised of two plies ofsimilar flexible fabric which can be formed from a single length ofmaterial, folded over at the tip of the free end 42 and overlaid uponitself. Fastening means, such as rows of stitching 40 join the twofabric plies together at regular intervals so as to from a series ofmaterial loops 32 up the narrow length of free end 42. A protectiveinsert 34 of plastic or similar material is fitted in each loop 32 andbonded in place.

As an alternative means of protecting the internal portions of the loopsagainst wear, a strip of flexible and stitchable plastic material isbonded along the inner faces of the folded plies and stitched through bythe rows of stitching 40 when the loops are formed.

Use and engagement of the combination buckle will now be described withreference to FIG. 3. When the wearer prepares to use the combinationbuckle, he first adjusts the length of the lap belt to his size, mindfulthat if the lap belt is retractable, it should be fully extended whenadjusting it to fit. The harness strap 31 requires no such adjustment.The wearer merely reaches overhead to grasp the free end 42 of strap 31as it extends into the automobile interior from roof slot 33. Settlingin the left front seat, as shown in FIG. 1, the wearer grasps the freeend 42 with his right-hand and pulls it down over his left shoulder andacross his upper torso to its fully extended position. Then, whileholding the release fitting 8 against his pelvic region, the wearermerely selects one of the series of loops 32 which is appropriate forhis height and build and slips it fully over the hooked portion 36 untilthe tip thereof extends out ofthe loop 32. In this position the free end42 of the harness strap 31 is arranged to lie across the face of therelease fitting 8.

The wearer than inserts the release fitting 8 into the receiving slot inthe buckle 1 and locks it in place. In the locked position, the tip ofthe hooked portion 36 of the release fitting 8 lies just beneath cutout43 in the buckle cover and close to the buckle 1. In this position, theslot 38 is closed off and the loop 32 is locked within it.

To release the combination buckle, the wearer presses the pushbutton 17,releasing the release fitting 8 from the buckle 1, whereupon the slot 38is opened enabling the engaged loop 32 of the harness strap free end 42to disengage from the release fitting 8.

Upon being released the strap 31 will be automatically retracted by theretracting mechanism up into the automobile roof behind the set. Sincethe free end 42 of the harness strap 31 is soft and without metalfittings, the wearer will not be harmed should he lose his grasp on thestrap 31 while it is retracting.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the arrangement of working and lockingcomponents in the buckle 1. Offcentered towards one end of the topsurface of the cover 2 is a rectangular opening 6 in which is fitted thepushbutton portion 17 of a locking component 7. The locking component 7engages a mating locking member 8 which is inserted into the buckle 1through a slot 9 at one end thereof. One of the two belt ends which areto be held together by the buckle 1 is threaded through a slot 10 in thelocking member 8, folded back and sewn to itself. The other belt end isthreaded around a snubber bar 11 which slides within a rectangular slot12 in the base plate 3.

The pushbutton locking member 7 has opposite tabs 13 and 14 thereonwhich enable the locking member 7 to pivot in the baseplate 3 when thetabs 13 and 14 are inserted in slots 15 and 16 in the spaced walls ofthe baseplate 3. The locking component 7 is composed of a pushbuttonportion 17, a locking portion 18 and a narrower connecting portion 19.The pushbutton portion 17 is on the opposite side of the pivot axis ofthe tabs 13 and 14 from the locking portion 18. A spring member 20 has apair of tabs 21 and 22 which straddle the connecting portion 19 to resetagainst the underside of pushbutton portion 17 and exert an upwardpressure thereon. The spring member 20 rests upon the locking portion 18and gains the upward spring pressure which it exerts on the pushbuttonportion 17 (and the downward spring pressure which it exerts on a pairof detents 24 and 26) through tabs 23 and 24 which press against theunderside of cover 2 when the cover 2 is in position over the baseplate3. As used herein, the directions upward and downward are taken as awayfrom or towards the baseplate 3 respectively.

The locking portion 18 of the locking component 7 has a pair of detents25 and 26 thereon. These engage with individual ones of a pair ofapertures 27 and 28 in the locking member 8 to lock the member 8 to thebuckle 1 when the locking member 8 is inserted within the buckle 1.

The snubber bar 11 slides in the rectangular slot 12 in the baseplate 3along grooves 29 at each end of the snubber bar 11.

The operation of the working and locking components of the buckle 1 willbe fully understood in connection with FIGS. 6 through 8. In FIG. 6 themating locking member 8 is locked within the buckle 1, with the detent26 of the locking component 7 extending into the aperture 28 in thelocking member 8. The upward pressure of the spring member 20 againstthe underside of the pushbutton portion 17 of the locking component 7keeps the detent 26 pressed down against the baseplate 3. In thisposition the buckle 1 and the mating member 8 are engaged and locked.

When one presses against the pushbutton portion 17, actuating itinwardly of the buckle 1, the spring pressure is overcome and the detent26 is raised out of the aperture 28. In this position, as shown in FIG.7, the locking member 8 is free to be withdrawn from the buckle 1. FIG.8, the locking member 8 is seen being reinserted into locking engagementin the buckle 1. The underside of the detent 26 is sloped downward andaway from the forward end of the locking member 8. As locking member 8is pushed against it, the detent 26 will be raised up, overcoming thespring pressure and enabling the locking member 8 to pass into lockingengagement.

FIG. 9 shows the shoulder harness strap 31 in a retracted position onthe retractor 50. The retractor 50 is comprised of a bottom 51 overwhich a cover 52 is fitted. A slide 53 is adapted to slide back andforth within the retractor and has a roller 54 at one end. At its otherend the slide 53 is attached to the free ends of a pair of self-coilingsprings 55, 56 which are retained in position towards one end of theretractor beneath a pair of retaining discs 57, 58. By virtue of theselection of these springs the slide 53 is subject to constant tensionthroughout the length ofits travel. The harness strap 31 enters theretractor 50 through the opening 59 and passes along the length of theretractor, is looped over the roller 54, passes back along the retractorlength and is secured, as by stitching, to a roller 60 in anchor fitting61, shown in FIG. 10. The anchor fitting 61 must carry the shock load inemergency use and hence is secured to a structural member of thevehicle, such as by bolting to a roof beam.

The retractor 50 itself is supported behind the interior fabric of thevehicle above and behind the relevant seat. In the case of the frontseat, the retractor is secured to structural members generally above therear window by clamping members, one of which is shown at 62. The strap31 passes through the opening 59 and a slot 33 in the interior fabric tothe vehicle interior.

FIGS. 11 and 12 shows the shoulder harness strap in the extended and inthe retracted position respectively. In the extended position theshoulder harness strap 31 has been pulled as far as it will go out ofthe retractor. To accommodate, the spring 56 has unwound itself.'Thestrap 31 has rotated at the roller 60 to present an inline loading fromthe anchor 61 to the wearer. The slide 53 has traveled beyond theloading line so as to be out of the loading linkage and to have noeffect on the load bearing of the strap 31.

When the strap free end 42 is disengaged from the release fitting 8, itwill automatically be retracted into the retractor 50 due to the bias ofspring 56 to return to its wound condition. The length of travel of theslide 53 and the position of the retractor 50 are so arranged that uponfull retraction, a portion of the strap 31 at the free end 42 willextend out of the opening 59 and into the vehicle interior so as to beavailable for grasping by the intended wearer. The strap 31 has rotatedat the anchor roller 60 towards the spring 56.

Anchor roller 60 is positioned at an angle of from 25 to 35 from thesurface of the supporting structure in the direction of the vehicleinterior in order to obtain a direct pull line on strap 31 from theanchor 61 diagonally across the upper torso of the wearer to the releasefitting 8 on his right hip (for the passenger in the left seat). Thisprovides the straightest possible strap to obtain equal loading acrossthe strap width.

Slide roller 54 is positioned at a similar angle, which is accomplishedby mounting the retractor 50 tilted from its supporting structure at theappropriate angle. The range of 25 to 35 is appropriate for the anchorroller 60 and for retractor 50, and approximately 30 is well suited forthe purpose. It has been mentioned earlier that the slot 33 in theinterior fabric is angled to the contour of the roof. More particularly,viewed head on, slot 33 is tilted from vertical at an angle ofapproximately 15, or'within the range of 20 to 35 in the direction awayfrom the relevant seat to which its harness 31 extends.

As viewed head on, if the slot 33 were vertical, the harness strap 31would edge load and would develop a corkscrew twist upon being retracedand bind. By tipping the slot 31 over 20 to 35, so to speak, the strapis face loaded against the slot 33 and the opening 59 behind it whichtends to iron out the strap 31 as it is retracted. The rear edgeofopening 59 on the retractor 50 is set at the same angle as the slot 33to carry the strap loading as it moves.

It should be understood that although the invention has been describedwith reference to a specific embodiment, this embodiment is not intendedto be limiting in any way. Changes and modifications in this embodimentcan be made without departing from the spirit and teachings of thisinvention.

I claim:

1. A retractor for a shoulder harness strap mounted to structural meansgenerally above and behind the relevant seat, comprising an elongatedstructure providing a slide path therein and open towards one endthereof, a slide member slideable along said path, a roller journaled tosaid slide member, spring means secured within said structure towardsthe other end thereof, said spring means being connected at a free endthereof to said slide to bias said slide towards said spring means, ananchor fitting connected to a vehicle structural member and adapted topermit rotation of said harness strap upon full extraction thereof toallow inline loading of said strap from said anchor fitting to thewearer, said roller being adapted upon full extraction of said strap totravel beyond said loading line, said harness strap being secured tosaid anchor fitting, thence about said slide roller and thence out ofthe opening in said structure, said harness strap having a series ofloops successively arranged along the free end thereof each of which isadapted to be selectively engaged for securing said strap upon saidwearer.

2. A retractor for a shoulder harness strap mounted to structural meansgenerally above and behind the relevant seat, comprising an elongatedstructure providing a slide path therein and open towards one endthereof, a slide member slideable along said path, a roller journaled tosaid slide member, spring means secured within said structure towardsthe other end thereof, said spring means being connected at a free endthereof to said slide to bias said slide towards said spring means, ananchor fitting connected to a vehicle structural member and adapted topermit rotation of said harness strap upon full extraction thereof toallow inline loading of said roller being adapted upon full extractionof said strap to travel beyond said loading line, said harness strapbeing secured to said anchor fitting, thence about said slide roller andthence out of the opening in said structure, the strap engaging portionof said anchor fitting being tilted at an angle of from 25 to 35 fromits connected vehicle structural member towards the interior of saidvehicle.

3. A retractor according to claim 2 in which said retractor opening hasa rear edge positioned at an angle of from 20 to 35 from vertical in thedirection away from the relevant seat.

1. A retractor for a shoulder harness strap mounted to structural meansgenerally above and behind the relevant seat, comprising an elongatedstructure providing a slide path therein and open towards one endthereof, a slide member slideable along said path, a roller journaled tosaid slide member, spring means secured within said structure towardsthe other end thereof, said spring means being connected at a free endthereof to said slide to bias said slide towards said spring means, ananchor fitting connected to a vehicle structural member and adapted topermit rotation of said harness strap upon full extraction thereof toallow inline loading of said strap from said anchor fitting to thewearer, said roller being adapted upon full extraction of said strap totravel beyond said loading line, said harness strap being secured tosaid anchor fitting, thence about said slide roller and thence out ofthe opening in said structure, said harness strap having a series ofloops successively arranged along the free end thereof each of which isadapted to be selectively engaged for securing said strap upon saidwearer.
 2. A retractor for a shoulder harness strap mounted tostructural means generally above and behind the relevant seat,comprising an elongated structure providing a slide path therein andopen towards one end thereof, a slide member slideable along said path,a roller journaled to said slide member, spring means secured withinsaid structure towards the other end thereof, said spring means beingconnected at a free end thereof to said slide to bias said slide towardssaid spring means, an anchor fitting connected to a vehicle structuralmember and adapted to permit rotation of said harness strap upon fullextraction thereof to allow inline loading of said roller being adaptedupon full extraction of said strap to travel beyond said loading line,said harness strap being secured to said anChor fitting, thence aboutsaid slide roller and thence out of the opening in said structure, thestrap engaging portion of said anchor fitting being tilted at an angleof from 25* to 35* from its connected vehicle structural member towardsthe interior of said vehicle.
 3. A retractor according to claim 2 inwhich said retractor opening has a rear edge positioned at an angle offrom 20* to 35* from vertical in the direction away from the relevantseat.